With nine weeks
remaining in the season, the intensity is turning up in the English Premier
League. Teams are jostling for a position in the top four slots, earning a UEFA
Champions League birth for next year, while others are scrambling to avoid
relegation. Only three points separate seventh place from fourth, and the
intensity is sure to be high this weekend.

Man United has
struggled a bit in recent EPL matches, earning just one win in their last
three. They're clinging to fourth place in the table, leading fifth-place
Southampton by just one point.

The pressure is
on this weekend for The Red Devils, and will be for every remaining week of the
season. They'll need to be in good form in order to slide into a Champions
League spot for next season. They're fortunate to be facing a Sunderland side
this weekend, which hasn't taken three points on the road since December 14.
That should lead spell a victory Man U, and perhaps a very slight bit of
breathing room.

Prediction: Manchester United 2 – 0 Sunderland

West Brom vs Southampton

Southampton has
shocked fans and experts alike this season, with Ronald Koeman's side sitting a
point away from a Champions League slot.

Don't expect
this to be a cakewalk for The Saints though, taking on a scrappy West Brom side
which has won its last two home EPL matches by a combined score of 6-0. Still,
with the added incentive of an opportunity to crack the top four, expect Southampton
to squeak one out.

Undoubtedly the
match of the week in the EPL, featuring second-place Man City traveling to
Anfield to take on seventh-place Liverpool.

Every game is
crucial for both of these sides the rest of the way out, with City chasing an
EPL title, and Liverpool just three points shy of a Champions League birth next
season. City trails first place Chelsea by five points, and given the Blues'
steady display of dominance this year in the EPL, The Citizens can't afford to
fall much further behind. The addition of Wilfred Bony from Swansea City could
really provide a lift for Man City, as he is expected to make his EPL debut
with the club this weekend.

Liverpool hasn't
lost in its last five Premier League matches at Anfield, but this will be their
toughest test in some time, facing a City side that has outscored opponents 9-1
in its last two EPL matches. The Reds are looking to atone for an early season
loss at City, 3-1. Expect a tight, thrilling match, with a lot on the line in
this one.

It's a long shot
for Arsenal to challenge Chelsea or Man City for the EPL crown, but three
points are crucial for The Gunners to stay in Champions League contention.
Arsenal is in third currently, but leads fifth-place Southampton by just two
points.

Everton started
off hot in the EPL but has cooled off rapidly, sitting in 12th in the table.
Still, the side has been resilient in recent matches, and it won't be an easy
task for Arsenal.